North Melbourne's decision on Tuesday to allow senior player Majak Daw to be available for selection after being charged with three counts of rape is in stark contrast to how St Kilda handled a similar case last year involving Stephen Milne.

Last June, Milne was charged with four counts of rape relating to an alleged incident in 2004. The Saints immediately announced Milne would take a leave of absence, though he would remain a listed player.

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St Kilda was then forced to thwart a potential player rebellion by assuring its senior group it had every intention of permitting Milne to play before the end of the season. A deputation of senior players, led by captain Nick Riewoldt and Jason Blake, had sought clarification on Milne's status.

Milne would return three weeks later, after a court date had been set for September last year. He announced his retirement at the end of the 2013 home and away season.

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In November last year, Milne was committed to stand trial in August 2014 on three charges of rape. He has pleaded not guilty.

In an earlier incident, the Saints terminated Andrew Lovett's three-year contract with the club after he was charged with rape in February 2010. He was later acquitted.

The Saints and Lovett had reached a confidential settlement of disputes relating to Lovett's employment.

A statement from St Kilda at the time said it "relied on specific clauses within Andrew Lovett's Standard Playing Contract and the AFL Players' Code of Conduct, to permit termination of contract for breach of such clauses''.

In February this year, Collingwood's Marley Williams opted not to play after he was convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harmin an incident outside a nightclub in Albany, Western Australia.

After discussions with several parties, including the AFL, AFL Players Association, legal and health professionals, it was decided he would continue to train at the club until sentencing.

In April, he received a 12-month suspended sentence.

In his evidence in the West Australian District Court, Williams submitted that the violence began when three men assaulted him in the nightclub toilets.

Sudanese-born Daw, an AFL multicultural ambassador, was charged on Tuesday in relation to an alleged sexual offence in 2007, but the Kangaroos have felt it best that he continues to play.

"North Melbourne will support Majak and he will remain available for selection at VFL and AFL level," the Kangaroos said in a statement.

"This is the subject of an ongoing legal proceeding and it is not appropriate for Majak or North Melbourne to make any comment."

AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon said the league reserved the right to stand down Daw "under our rules if deemed appropriate".

“Given the specific circumstances of the case, the AFL has determined that the player remains available for selection by his club. However, we will monitor the case and reserve the right to take action under our rules if deemed appropriate," Dillon said.